PANews reported on March 20 that the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the evening of the 20th that the South Korean government has decided to join the joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz issued by seven countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada. The Ministry stated that this decision comprehensively considered the South Korean government's basic stance on the safety and freedom of navigation of international maritime routes, international trends, and the direct impact of obstructed navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on South Korea's energy supply and economy. The seven countries—the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada—issued a joint statement on March 19 condemning Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.